Our Roots - Pioneer Sisters
Sr. Alphonsus Mooney
Sr. Alphonsus Mooney came from West Meath, Ireland and entered the novitiate at Nottingham in 1900 at a time when she would have known Mother Evangelista personally and would have received the spirit of Clare and of the founding sisters from Evangelista herself.
After her novitiate, Alphonsus qualified as a registered nurse at St. John’s Hospital, London, England. For some time she did district nursing in Grimsby. When World War I in 1914 broke out, Mother Evangelista offered the services of two of our nursing sisters to the English government. Sr. Alphonsus proved herself so effective and compassionate that she was decorated for distinguished service during the war by His Majesty King George.
In 1915 she left England for Mater Misericordia Hospital, Rossland in the rugged mountains of beautiful British Columbia, Canada, in the West. She remained there until 1925 when her skills and gifts were required in New Jersey with the establishment of Holy Name hospital. Sister was transferred to St. Luke’s Hospital, New Bern, North Carolina in 1949 and remained until 1955 when her failing health required healthcare and rest. She died in St. Joseph province in 1962 at the age of 82.
This story is excerpted from Sister Sheila Lemieux's 21st General Chapter Talk)